caliper

or cal·li·per

[ kal-uh-per ]

/ ˈkæl ə pər /

noun

Usually calipers. an instrument for measuring thicknesses and internal or external diameters inaccessible to a scale, consisting usually of a pair of adjustable pivoted legs.

any of various calibrated instruments for measuring thicknesses or distances between surfaces, usually having a screwed or sliding adjustable piece.Compare vernier caliper.

thickness or depth, as of paper or a tree.

Usually calipers. the pincers of an earwig.

Automotive. the part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc and presses the brake pads against it.

a similar part used with a hand brake on a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

to measure with calipers.

verb (used without object)

to use calipers.

Words nearby caliper

calimere, calimocho, caliorrhaphy, calipash, calipee, caliper, caliper rule, caliph, caliphate, calippus, calisaya

Origin of caliper

First recorded in 1580–90; presumably variant of caliber

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for calipers

The engraving plainly shows how calipers for this purpose are made, and how used.
Measuring Tools|Unknown
After the roughing cut has been taken, calipers set to the diameter desired will determine the depth of the next cut, sizing cut.
Advanced Toy Making for Schools|David M. Mitchell
A full 1⁄32 inch may be left to trim off after the calipers are put together.
Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II|Joshua Rose
The outer diameter must be checked with a pair of calipers during this operation to make sure that the surfaces remain parallel.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag

Ward leaped to his feet and strode toward the fence, his long legs working like calipers.
The Skipper and the Skipped|Holman Day

British Dictionary definitions for calipers

caliper

/ (ˈkælɪpə) /

noun

the usual US spelling of calliper

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for calipers

caliper

n.

An instrument consisting essentially of two curved hinged legs, used to measure thickness and distances.

Science definitions for calipers

caliper

[ kăl′ə-pər ]

An instrument consisting of two curved legs connected at a hinge, used to measure thickness and distance. Often used in the plural as calipers.

caliper

or cal·li·per

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to caliper

Words nearby caliper

Origin of caliper

Examples from the Web for calipers

British Dictionary definitions for calipers

noun

Medicine definitions for calipers

n.

Science definitions for calipers